Mineola School Trustees put plans in place Monday, Feb. 11 that could result in the school district serving as a regional hub for career and technical education.

The board took several steps that would have Mineola hosting students from Alba-Golden, Yantis, Grand Saline and possibly other schools this fall for CTE programs, in conjunction with Tyler Junior College.

The district is already moving ahead with expanding its CTE offerings. By expanding to a regional model, the collaborating districts stand to have more courses for students than they might otherwise.
more

A federal lawsuit filed in October 2017 by John Winston Forrester and six other plaintiffs against Wood County and seven individuals is slated to go to trial on March 25 in Tyler before U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder III. Five days are set aside for the trial.

Along with Wood County, the suit names former Sheriff James A. Brown, who has filed a countersuit, as well as Miles Tucker, Kelly Smith, Kevin Atkinson, Stephen Cates, and John Hammack, all former Brown subordinates. Also named is Jerry Wayne Boone, who is serving prison time for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Boone shot Forrester and his father, John Phillip Forrester, in early November 2015 as the Forresters and five others were attempting to access a disputed oil lease on Brown’s property north of Quitman.

The suit alleges “almost unfathomable abuse of the public trust” by Wood County, Brown, and several sheriff deputies. The lawsuit claims that Brown and his deputies engaged in a campaign of “harassment, intimidation and abuse” against Forrester, who was attempting to gain access to an oil well lease so he could recover millions of dollars worth of equipment stranded in the mud. The suit claims a litany of misconduct on the part of Brown and his men that culminated the morning of Nov. 2, 2015.

“Dinosaurs Live” brought dinosaur exhibits, face painting, a slide, puzzles, concessions and other fun activities. The event gave the students the chance to learn about the ancient creatures while also having some fun.
more

Mineola ISD was one of 36 districts or teacher preparation programs across the state awarded funding through the 2019-2021 Grow Your Own grant program, Cycle 2. Mineola will receive $11,500 to enhance its CTE Educational pathway, which encourages high school students to consider teaching as a career.
more